Details
Track Listing
1. The Bells Of Dublin / Christmas Eve - (Dublin, with The Bell-Ringers Of Christchurch Cathedral)
2. Past Three O'Clock - (with The Renaissance Singers)
3. St. Stephen's Day Murders - (with Elvis Costello)
4. Il Est Ne / Ca Berger - (with Kate & Anna McGarrigle)
5. Don Oiche Ud I Mbeithil - (Gaelic, with Burgess Meredith/Kevin Conneff)
6. I Saw Three Ships a Sailing - (with Marianne Faithfull)
7. Breton Carol, A - (French, with Nolwen Monjarret)
8. O the Holly She Bears a Berry
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Boars Head, The - (with The Voice Squad)
11. Wexford Carol, The - (with Nanci Griffith)
12. Rebel Jesus, The - (with Jackson Browne)
13. Skyline Jig
14. O Holy Night - (with Rickie Lee Jones/Suzie Katayama)
15. Arrival of the Wren Boys, The
16. Dingle Set, The
17. Wren in the Furze, The - (with The Voice Squad)
18. Dance Duet, A - (reel)
19. Brafferton Village/Walsh's Hornpipe - (with Kathryn Tickell)
20. The Farewell: The Piper Through The Meadow Strayed / This Is The Season To Be Merry
21. Once in David's Royal City
22. Ding Dong Merrily on High - (with The Renaissance Singers/David Drinkel)
23. O Come All Ye Faithful - (with The Renaissance Singers/David Drinkel)
Album Notes
The Chieftains: Kevin Conneff (vocals, bodhran); Martin Fay, Sean Keane (fiddle); Derek Bell (harp, tiompan, harpsichord); Matt Molloy (flute); Paddy Moloney (Uilleann pipes, tin whistle).
Additional personnel includes: Jackson Browne (vocals, piano); Rickie Lee Jones, Elvis Costello, Nanci Griffith, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Marianne Faithfull, The Voice Squad (vocals); Burgess Meredith (spoken vocals); Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian pipes).
Principally recorded at Windmill Lane Studio, Dublin, Ireland. Includes liner notes by Paddy Moloney.
The twelve bells of Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin are the inspiration for this CD. The bells are rung twice every Sunday, and on special occasions such as the inauguration of the president, or ringing in the New Year. Essentially a Christmas album, this 1991 release features performances by an extraordinary cast of guest musicians sitting in with The Chieftains.
Highlights include "The Wren in The Furze," composed and sung by The Chieftains' own Kevin Conneff, and Elvis Costello's passionate vocal on "The St. Stephen's Day Murders." However, the most moving song on THE BELLS OF DUBLIN is Rickie Lee Jones's version of "O Holy Night." Her low, restrained singing style is entrancing, even sultry. At the song's climax, the sudden conviction of her voice is startling. All the instrumental work on this CD is top-notch, validating traditional Irish music, and making it accessible to modern ears.
Industry Reviews
4 Stars - Excellent - ...tradition a-plenty with bell ringing, carroling, storytelling (veteran actor Burgess Meredith) as well as strong contemporary material...
Q (12/01/1991)
3 out of 5 - ...The Chieftains are a treasure and every home should have at least one of their albums...
Uncut (08/01/2002)
4 Stars - Excellent - ...tradition a-plenty with bell ringing, carroling, storytelling (veteran actor Burgess Meredith) as well as strong contemporary material...Uncut (8/02, p.100) - 3 out of 5 - ...The Chieftains are a treasure and every home should have at least one of their albums...
Q (12/01/1991)
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